Joliet Central High School Celebrated 28th Annual Hispanic Cultural Assembly

The Joliet Central High School student group Club Líderes Hispanos de Hoy (LHH Club)
shared their love and appreciation for their heritage with students, families
and the community through their 28th Annual Hispanic Cultural Assembly
“Glimpses of Mexico” on Friday, December 2016th at 7:00 pm in
the Joliet Central High School Auditorium.

Principal Shad Hallihan welcomed the audience and expressed the importance of this
cultural assembly that has been part of the Joliet Central High School
tradition for 28 years now. Ms. Lourdes Páramo and Ms. Beth Salinas, both
teachers at Joliet Central and key leaders of the event, introduced the
Hispanic Cultural Assembly numbers to the parents and community.

Students performed a variety of traditional Mexican dances and songs while dressed in
authentic regional clothing as each dance represented a different state in
Mexico.

Representing the southern state of Oaxaca, students performed “La Danza de las Piñas”, or
"The Dance of the Pineapples".

Representing the state of Michoacán, students then performed the entertaining and humorous
“La Danza de los Viejitos”, or "The Dance of the Elderly Men", in
which the students dance using canes and wearing masks to appear older.

To represent Michoacán and Chihuahua, Club President Vicki Sanantonio sang a heartfelt
rendition of “Amor Eterno” or "Eternal Love", by the late Juan
Gabriel, a very famous Mexican singer and songwriter who passed away earlier
this year.

Club Treasurer Roberto Vargas then sang “Por Tu Amor”, or "For Your Love",
by Alacranes Musical to represent the state of Durango.

Representing Sinaloa, students performed the popular lively dance known as “La Quebradita”.

Club Vice President Pablo Vargas represented Guanajuato by singing the classic “El Rey”,
or "The King", by the famous José Alfredo Jiménez.

Representing Jalisco, teachers Mr. Andy Harris and Mr. Jeff Grimes accompanied students in
performing “Rayando el Sol”, or "Bordering the Sun", by the
internationally popular Mexican rock band, Maná.

Club Treasurer María De Velasco represented Guerrero by performing a beautiful
interpretation of Joan Sebastian’s “Llorar”, or "Cry". To represent
Guerrero, students also performed Joan Sebastian’s “Eso y Más”, or "That
and More".

Representing the states of Michoacán, Guerrero, Colima, Nayarit, and Jalisco, students
performed “El Son de la Negra”, a traditional Mexican dance in which the ladies
wear brightly colored full skirts and the young men wear sombreros along with
other traditional clothing.

The LHH Club and Joliet Central High School thank everyone for their support and welcome
students, families, and the community to future cultural celebrations.